Binay directed her appeal to the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino and other government agencies concerned as she welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of the measure into law.

The Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Act or Republic Act No. 11106 declares the Filipino sign language as the national sign language of the Filipino deaf. It mandates that the FSL be recognized, promoted and supported as the medium of official communication in all transactions involving the deaf.

The law specifically mandates all government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to use FSL in transacting with the deaf.

Under the law, qualified interpreters and materials should also be provided whenever necessary or requested in activities conducted by government agencies and GOCCs.

FSL would also be the language of instruction for deaf education, without prejudice to the use of other forms of communication depending on individual choice or preference.

Binay said it is high time that FSL and Braille become part of the school curriculum. She said teaching FSL should start from the level of teachers.

“FSL should be taught to everyone in schools regardless if there’s a deaf person on campus or not. FSL should be inclusive, because sign language is also a basic conversational language,” Binay said.

“Filipinos who are hard of hearing will be able to exercise their right to expression and opinion without prejudice to their condition,” Binay pointed out.

She also encouraged government agencies to spearhead the law’s implementation.

“Mahalaga rin ang papel ng pamahalaan sa pagpapalaganap ng batas. Hinihimok ko ang Senado na manguna rito, (The government has an important role in promoting the law. The Senate should take the lead here),” Binay said.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Binay’s political party, first provided sign language support in most, if not all, during its 2013 campaign rallies for the benefit of persons with disabilities, particularly the deaf community.

The law also directs the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to have FSL insets in news and public affairs programs, whether in broadcast or in online videos, within a year of the law’s effective date.